Film chronicles 'quintessential' New Yorker

“Koch,” a documentary film that chronicles the life and political… (Submitted photo )

March 13, 2013|By Shani McManus, Staff Writer

Whether a current or former resident of The Big Apple, most New Yorkers harbor a strong opinion of Ed Koch, its controversial three-term mayor from 1978 to 1989, during a "down-and-dirty decade of grit, graffiti, near-bankruptcy and rampant crime."

Dubbed the "quintessential New Yorker," Koch, who died on Feb. 1 at the age of 88, is the subject of a riveting documentary by first-time filmmaker and former Wall Street Journal reporter Neil Barsky that opens in the tri-county area on March 22. The film chronicles Koch's personal life and political career, beginning in the 1970s, when New York was on the precipice of bankruptcy, dependent on the state and federal governments for its survival. It also covers the volatile issues of the day, such as race relations, homelessness, AIDS and gay rights.

Through candid and colorful interviews, rare archival footage and photographs, the surprisingly entertaining documentary takes the viewer on a sentimental journey back to a time when the city, though beset by overwhelming problems and its citizen's exasperation, reflected the often sordid, but always genuine nature that makes New York a one-of-a-kind city.

Throughout the 90-minute film Koch, one of the city's most colorful characters, is its central character and driving force.

"Making a documentary about Ed Koch was an easy call," said Barsky, who was born in the Bronx in 1958. "To this day, I cannot think of a New Yorker as popular or as polarizing. Ed Koch's story is in many ways the story of the city."

After retiring as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal in '09, Barsky turned to filmmaking. He described how "Koch" came to be his first film.

"The city had changed. I wanted to do a movie of how contemporary N.Y.C. came to be," he said. "I believe Ed Koch had a lot to do with the city's renaissance. Great movies have a great character and Ed Koch was that. He made a great contribution to N.Y.C.

Barsky said he came to know Koch through making the film.

"Ed Koch was just like he was in the movie," he said. "I got to know two Ed Koches — the Mayor Ed Koch, and the older Ed Koch. Most people want privacy — he didn't. It was pretty impressive how he lived his life."

Producer Jenny Carchman has made documentaries for both theatrical release and broadcast television including programming for PBS's Frontline, American Masters, American Experience and HBO. For several years, she has helped produce documentary films for Academy-Award winning director Martin Scorsese, and directed his "George Harrison: Living in the Material World" documentary recently shown on HBO. Carchman, who was growing up in New Jersey while Koch's was mayor, said making the Koch film was "nostalgic."

"One of my favorite parts of the film was looking at the archival footage," Carchman said. "I loved the film. I was happy we had the access to Koch. He saw the film before he died. He said he wanted to be buried with it. I learned a lot about Koch making the film, and what it takes to run a city like New York."

Born in the Bronx of Polish-Jewish ancestry, Koch's family moved to Newark, N.J. during the Depression and later moved to Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, when he was a teenager. He left City College when he was drafted into the Army, where he became a decorated combat infantryman, achieving the rank of sergeant.

In 1968, Koch was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1977, he defeated Liberal Party candidate Mario Cuomo in the general election.

Koch, who vowed to be the first four term mayor, lost the Democratic primary to then Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins.

He had remained extremely active and popular since leaving office, practicing law in New York City, lecturing, authoring books, serving as a newspaper columnist, hosting his own radio show, serving as a judge on the popular TV show "The People's Court" and writing movie reviews.

Koch died on Feb. I, the day the documentary film on his life opened in New York City theaters.